SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION

CMNS 262 - 3

Marian Krawczyk Spring 2005

Office & Phone: TBA Harbour Centre Day

Email: mkrawczy@sfu.ca

DESIGN AND METHOD IN QUALITATIVE COMMUNICATION RESEARCH

Prerequisites: CMNS 110 or 130. Students who have credit for CMNS 286 in Spring 2004 may not take CMNS 262 for further credit.

Overview:

This course examines a wide range of approaches to research in media and cultural studies, including historical, textual analysis, critical and ethnographic methods. We will use a case study approach involving analysis of a wide variety of topics from popular culture to material culture and everyday life. Examination of case studies will determine the main research questions, underlying concerns and assumptions. By the end of the course you will understand what methods are used to get at what kind of data and for what purposes. You will become familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of each method, as well as contemporary ethical issues in media and cultural studies research.

Required Texts:

Bruce L. Berg (2004), Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences, 5^th edition,

Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

A custom courseware package will also be available from the bookstore.

Assessment:

Textual Analysis: 20%

Midterm: 20%

Research Project: 40%

Tutorial Participation and Assignments: 20%

The School expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relation to established university-wide practices with respect to both levels and distribution of grades. In addition, the School will follow Policy T10.02 with respect to “Intellectual Honesty” and “Academic Discipline” (see the current calendar, General Regulations Section).